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Category: museums

Humans have always seemed to been drawn to high ground. Even the children’s game “King of the Mountain”. was a way of teaching the philosophy. It is a phrase in language. A military tactical advantage. A phrase that means high moral standard. The words high ground have significance in all cultures and languages.

Spring has sprung in New England. The world is coming back to life.The days are long, the sun is high in the sky. There is a warmth in the air.During this first week of May the rich and luscious delicate colors of nature are in full view. In a few days this array of color will give way to the fullness of the familiar deep green of leaves that stays with us through the summer. This is the short moment of evident transition between winter and summer.

We had not been to the Peabody Essex Museum since before the two were consolidated and transitioned into what it has become. Perhaps a good example of change is the East India Marine Hall which is now part of the Museum. When it was a stand alone building and looked like it’s former self; I had attended a coming out party there. I regret not having taken photographs for many reasons, the memories are distant, and the building had a dusty charm that is long gone.

The Museum has achieved a remarkable makeover. It is welcoming and easy to visit. The Yin Yu Tang house is truly a treasure not to be missed. As you can see from the images the collection is eclectic. If I were to find a criticism it would be that the best of their collections is not on view. I know this having seen the museum before. None of the subjects are dealt with in depth. That said, it is fixable. They have made the museum experience a crossover between the mission of a museum and an experience of an attraction.